IN his equally ill-informed (and professionally questionable) defence of the increasingly infamous Plaskitt conservatory, chartered architect Matthew Laverack has yet again demonstrated that there is no such thing as an expert in urban design.

Virtually everything expressed on such issues is a personal opinion.

In defence of Mr Bonner, the subject of Mr Laverack's letter (June 1), the extension most definitely is incongruous, being a 'Victorian Gothic' conservatory built in this the third Millennium.

Didn't dear Queen Vic die a century ago?

On a further point raised, the toilet block it replaced did have far less of an impact on neighbours by not being built mostly of glass which, forgive me if I am wrong, allowed for visual privacy. This issue alone is a fundamental planning matter not deserving of such ill-conceived comments.

Paul Curtis,

Falconer Street, York.

...I remind Mr Laverack that regardless of his obvious friendship with the Plaskitts, he should be trying to uphold the laws of his profession. The laws of this country clearly stipulate that one does not go ahead with a construction without the proper planning permission required - no matter how 'pretty' it may be.

What a sorry place this country would be if people with the Plaskitts' arrogant attitude were allowed to just go ahead with complete disregard for the professional people who do a damn good job of deciding what is 'good for' or 'bad for' our towns and cities. I suggest that the Plaskitts get off their 'high horse' and stick to the rules that govern us all.

H Allen,

Heworth, York.

...IF you commit the crime, you do the time, more so if you do it deliberately.

Mr Plaskitt knew that his new conservatory did not obey the law. But being wealthy and having ties with the Evening Press, he figured this would suffice to get him off the hook.

John V A Lascelles,

The Mount, York.